No solution yet over access road
The Star 2/12/2006 By GEETHA KRISHNAN

THE matter would be brought to the immediate attention of the Works Minister.

This was the only assurance given to Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee members and township residents who met with Malaysian Highway Authority director-general Datuk Mohd Noor Yaacob on Tuesday.

“I have heard your grievances and the points raised especially for the issue to be resolved before year-end in view of the impending toll hike. The final decision, however, rests with Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu,” he said, referring to the closed access road leading to the Cheras-Kajang Highway.

Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd closed the access road soon after it was built, citing compensation issues with Bandar Mahkota Cheras developer, Narajaya Sdn Bhd. The road remains closed because both parties are unable to come to an agreement.

The matter was even referred to local authority Kajang Municipal Council and the Selangor Public Works Department.

In September, two committee members who met with Samy Vellu were told the road was illegal because permission was not obtained from the PWD.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras and Bandar Sungai Long residents had convened at the MHA headquarters in Bangi on Tuesday with the hopes of seeing an end to the prolonged issue following a meeting with MHA, Narajaya, Grand Saga and other relevant parties.

But the dejected group, with Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai acting as mediator, only met with MHA officials.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah said the township's residents were the laughing stock of others because they had no access road.

“How long do we have to share the road meant for Bandar Sungai Long residents?

“One lane of the dual-lane road from the township has been closed for months due to a landslide and we are just compounding the traffic jams,” he said, adding that the queue to reach the junction was 2.5km daily.